Chatham 2002
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The 2002 version of the Southwest Zone Championships were held the weekend of Aug. 24/25 2002 at the Chatham Aeronauts field just southwest of town. The turnout was up from past years with 19 contestants representing all classes. It was especially nice to see some first timers at this event, some coming all the way from New York state and southern Ohio.

Aircraft and horsepower saw a pretty standard mix of two and four stroke engines and earlier designs, the exception being District 1 flier Ken Velez and his Vivat. Definitely different in shape, construction techniques and presentation in the air, it appeared to perform very well for Ken.

Weather for the weekend was typical for this part of the world; unsettled. A light drizzle began Friday evening and continued into Saturday morning causing the start to delay by about two hours, but by noon the skies brightened up enough to get things under way, and by about five o'clock, we had completed four rounds. Saturday evening we held a steak BBQ and corn roast that was attended, I believe, by all the competitors as well as a number club members who turned out to see just what it is we pattern guys do. Judging by the amount of food consumed and the number of loosened belts by the end of the day, the meal was a big hit.

Sunday morning we were back at it, delayed again, this time by ground fog. But it only lasted an hour and we were off again, finishing rounds five and six by one o'clock. The final results are as follows;

Congratulations to all of the competitors, and a special thanks to Roger Ayotte, John Edmonson, Curt Boyes, Diana Lambert, my wife Joan, and son Jim; These people all went the distance and then some to help make this a successful and hopefully, fun event for everyone.

Brad Slaughter, Contest Director